🔗 Share this article

I'm not sure exactly how the custom began, however I always name every one of my Pokémon trainers Malfunction.

Whether it's a main series game or a spinoff like Pokkén Tournament DX and Pokémon Go — the moniker never changes. Glitch alternates from male to female avatars, featuring black and purple hair. Sometimes their style is flawless, as seen in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the latest addition in the enduring series (and among the most fashion-focused entries). Other times they're confined to the various school uniform styles from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. Yet they're always Malfunction.

The Constantly Changing World of Pokemon Games

Much like my characters, the Pokemon titles have transformed between installments, with certain superficial, some substantial. However at their core, they stay the same; they're always Pokémon through and through. Game Freak uncovered a nearly perfect gameplay formula some three decades back, and just recently seriously tried to evolve on it with entries such as Pokémon Legends: Arceus (new era, your character is now in danger). Throughout all version, the fundamental gameplay loop of capturing and battling alongside adorable monsters has stayed consistent for nearly the same duration as I've been alive.

Breaking Conventions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Similar to Arceus before it, featuring absence of gyms and focus on creating a creature catalog, Pokémon Legends: Z-A brings several changes into that framework. It's set completely in one place, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, abandoning the region-spanning journeys of previous titles. Pokémon are meant to live together with humans, trainers and non-trainers alike, in ways we have merely seen glimpses of previously.

Even more radical than that Z-A's real-time combat mechanics. This is where the series' almost ideal core cycle experiences its biggest evolution yet, replacing deliberate turn-based bouts for more frenetic action. And it's thoroughly enjoyable, even as I find myself ready for a new traditional release. Though these alterations to the classic Pokémon formula sound like they form a completely new adventure, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is as familiar as every other Pokemon game.

The Core of the Adventure: The Z-A Championship

Upon first arriving at Lumiose Metropolis, whatever plans your created character had as a tourist are discarded; you're promptly enlisted by Taunie (if playing as a male character; the male guide if female) to join their squad of trainers. You receive a creature from them as your first partner and you're dispatched to participate in the Z-A Royale.

The Championship serves as the centerpiece in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It's similar to the classic "arena symbols to final challenge" advancement of past games. However here, you battle several trainers to gain the chance to participate in a promotion match. Succeed and you will be promoted to the next rank, with the final objective of reaching the top rank.

Live-Action Battles: A New Frontier

Character fights occur at night, and sneaking around the assigned combat areas is quite enjoyable. I'm constantly attempting to get a jump on a rival and unleash an unopposed move, because all actions occur instantaneously. Moves operate on cooldown timers, indicating both combatants may occasionally attack each other concurrently (and defeat each other at once). It's a lot to adjust to initially. Despite playing for nearly 30 hours, I continue to feel that there is plenty to learn regarding employing my creatures' attacks in methods that work together synergistically. Positioning also factors as a significant part during combat as your Pokémon will follow you around or move to specific locations to perform attacks (some are long-range, whereas others must be in close proximity).

The live combat causes fights go so fast that I find myself repeating sequences of attacks in identical patterns, even when this results in a less effective approach. There isn't moment to breathe during Z-A, and numerous chances to become swamped. Creature fights depend on feedback after using an attack, and that data remains visible on the display in Z-A, but whips by rapidly. Occasionally, you can't even read it because diverting attention from your opponent will result in immediate defeat.

Exploring Lumiose Metropolis

Away from combat, you'll explore Lumiose City. It's relatively small, though tightly filled. Far into the adventure, I continue to find unseen stores and elevated areas to visit. It's also full of charm, and fully realizes the concept of Pokémon and people living together. Pidgey populate its sidewalks, taking flight when you get near like the real-life pigeons getting in my way while strolling through NYC. The monkey trio joyfully cling from lampposts, and insect creatures such as Kakuna cling to trees.

A focus on urban life represents a fresh approach for Pokémon, and a welcome one. Nonetheless, exploring Lumiose becomes rote eventually. You may stumble upon a passage you haven't been to, but it feels identical. The building design is devoid of personality, and many elevated areas and sewer paths offer little variety. Although I haven't been to Paris, the model behind Lumiose, I've lived in NYC for nearly a decade. It's a metropolis where every district differs, and all are alive with uniqueness that give them soul. Lumiose Metropolis doesn't have that. It has tan buildings topped with colored roofs and simply designed balconies.

Where Lumiose City Really Excels

In which the city truly stands out, surprisingly, is indoors. I adored how Pokémon battles within Sword and Shield take place in arena-like venues, giving them genuine significance and meaning. Conversely, fights within Scarlet & Violet happen on a court with two random people watching. It's a total letdown. Z-A strikes a middle ground between both extremes. You'll battle in eateries with patrons watching as they dine. A fancy battle society will invite you to a competition, and you will combat in its rooftop arena with a chandelier (not the Pokemon) hanging above. The most memorable spot is the elegantly decorated headquarters of the Rust Syndicate with atmospheric illumination and purple partitions. Several distinct combat settings overflow with personality that's absent from the overall metropolis as a whole.

The Familiarity of Routine

Throughout the Royale, along with subduing wild Mega Evolved Pokémon and completing the Pokédex, there's an inescapable feeling of, {"I